Tomlin, Indians Set For 2017 MLB Postseason

LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech baseball's Josh Tomlin returns to the Major League Baseball Postseason with the Cleveland Indians in the American League Division Series, which begins Thursday night at Progressive Field.

The Indians begin the best-of-five series at 7 p.m. against the New York Yankees on Thursday on FS1. Game two is slated for Friday at 4:30 p.m., with game three in New York on Sunday, Oct. 8, at 7 p.m. If necessary, game four will take place on Monday, Oct. 9, with a deciding game five back in Cleveland on Wednesday, Oct. 11.

Tomlin is currently slotted for a game-four start, if the series reaches that point.

The right-handed pitcher helped the Tribe to an A.L. best 102-60 record in 2017, as the Indians clinched its second-straight A.L. Central division crown. Last season, the Cleveland won the A.L. pennant and advanced to the World Series, battling the Chicago Cubs to a thrilling extra innings game seven.

Tomlin started in 26 games this season for the Indians, posting a 10-9 record. He's struck out 109 batters and walked only 14 over 141.0 innings pitched for a 4.98 ERA. He was 6-0 over his last 11 starts, which propelled him to his second consecutive 10-win season and third of his career.

He was also part of a rotation that led the Majors in wins (81) and strikeouts (1,066), while posting an A.L.-best 3.52 ERA. The Tribe's starters combined for a 2.67 ERA in the second half of the season, helping power the team's 55-20 mark after the All-Star break.

In last year's postseason run, Tomlin was 2-1 in four starts. He picked up wins at Boston in the ALDS and Toronto in the ALCS. He allowed just two runs in his first outing against the Red Sox, going 5.0 frames and striking out four in the 4-3 win to eliminate Boston. Against the Blue Jays, he turned in a one-run, six-strikeout performance over 5.2 innings, helping the Indians to a 2-1 victory and a 2-0 series lead.

After giving up two runs in his first start and one in his second, he followed it up with 4.2 frames of shutout pitching, giving up just two hits while striking out one in game three of the World Series. The Indians would go on to score a run in the seventh to earn a 1-0 win and a 2-1 series lead over the Cubs. He was the first Red Raider to ever pitch in the World Series.

Tomlin pitched for one season at Texas Tech in 2006 before being chosen in the 19^th round of the 2006 MLB Draft by the Cleveland Indians. The 2017 season is his eighth year in the Majors with the club.

Tomlin, Indians Set For 2017 MLB Postseason

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